Abstract
Cystic soft tissue lesions of the hand often pose a diagnostic challenge due to their
broad range of differential diagnoses that include benign ganglion cysts as well as
inflammatory and malignant conditions. Although most lesions are benign, atypical
clinical or imaging features may suggest rare but significant pathologies that require
timely recognition. This article provides a structured case-based overview of cystic
and cystic-appearing soft tissue lesions of the hand, integrating each case with a
brief review of relevant pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and therapeutic
considerations. The cases illustrate the spectrum of cystic lesions categorized as
true cysts, tumors or tumor-like lesions with cystic features, and infectious and
inflammatory entities. Special emphasis is placed on identifying imaging red flags
in lesions that may mimic benign cysts, such as synovial sarcoma, and on the role
of magnetic resonance imaging as the key imaging modality in ambiguous cases.
Keywords
soft tissue lesion - cystic lesion - hand - upper extremity - magnetic resonance imaging
